The music of Alex Stephenson has been described as “masterfully orchestrated” and exhibiting “sonic beauty” (San Diego Union-Tribune). His work stems in equal parts from a driving lyrical spirit, a fascination with the science of sound perception, and a love of musical repertoires both old and new. With each project, he intertwines these diverse influences in novel ways, curating sonic worlds that feel simultaneously fresh and familiar.

Alex’s music has been commissioned and presented by institutions such as the Tanglewood Music Center, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Breckenridge Music Festival, Royaumont Voix Nouvelles Festival, ISCM World New Music Days, Composers Conference, and the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival. Recent and upcoming collaborators include the Bergamot Quartet, Duo Axis, Flux Quartet, Grossman Ensemble at the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition, and the La Jolla Symphony. His recent honors include the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and first prize in the Roy Minoff Composition Competition.

Alex currently serves as assistant professor of music theory and composition at Illinois State University. He received a Ph.D. from the University of California San Diego, a Master of Arts from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago. He also studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a US-UK Fulbright Scholar. While a doctoral candidate at UC San Diego, he received the Barbara and Paul Saltman Excellent Teaching Award.

Current as of 11.3.26
Photo credit: Jessica C. Flores